True Zero will now equip every hydrogen charging station with a sustainability label

The race to tap into clean transportation has long since become a global issue. It seems battery powered electric cars are the top dog when it comes to clean transportation. And you think the market for hydrogen-powered cars doesn’t play a decisive role anymore? Maybe the following facts of True Zero change your mind.

According to own statements, True Zero operates the world’s largest network of hydrogen charging stations for cars. In 2016 alone, they powered 3.7 million emission-free miles on California roads with their provided hydrogen fuel. Accordingly, hydrogen-powered cars filled up at True Zero’s hydrogen charging stations saved over 1.15 million kg of greenhouse gas emissions. “That’s the greenhouse-gas equivalent of planting a forest nine times the size of Disneyland,” explained Joel Ewanick, CEO of FirstElement Fuel, True Zero’s parent, which is based here.

Hyundai Tuscon charging at True Zero hydrogen station in the US (True Zero)

“With a hydrogen network that spans across California and allows drivers to charge up in four minutes, electric fuel-cell cars with over 300-mile range are proving they can replace gasoline cars,” said Joel Ewanick, Founder and CEO of FirstElement Fuel, True Zero’s parent. “This kind of ramp means customers are choosing electric fuel cells as a vehicle that does it all, but with zero emissions.”

Sustainability label - Hydrogen at this station is sourced from 100% renewable feedstocks. A small
percentage of non-renewable energy is needed for delivery and on-site processing (True Zero)

With the aim to make people and car owners more aware of the clean benefits of driving on hydrogen, True Zero will now equip every hydrogen charging station with a sustainability label. They declare the societal impacts of driving a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle and provide clear information about the consumed resources and how they support the environment.

“We got into this business to make a positive impact on the world,” said Ewanick. “Our customers are making a difference with every mile they drive. It’s exciting to see such substantial benefits so early on, and we want to help tell that story.” Compared to a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle, it is possible to cut off emissions by more than 60 percent.

Toyota Mirai charging at True Zero hydrogen station in the US (True Zero)

True Zero hydrogen station in Santa Barbara, USA (True Zero)

Around one-third of the True Zero hydrogen fuel is produced with energy from renewable sources. This proportion is expected to grow further. “We’re already seeing far more growth than we expected during the first phase of our hydrogen network,” said Ewanick. “To keep up with demand and help automakers sell more fuel-cell cars, our future stations have to be larger and able to charge up multiple cars at the same time.”

Two of True Zero’s charging stations provide hydrogen fuel sourced from 100 percent renewable feedstock. This lowers greenhouse gas emissions by 93 percent compared to a typical petrol-powered car. The company has set an ambitious target: By 2023, 100 percent of the hydrogen shall be sourced renewable.

“It’s thanks to the monies and commitment from the State of California and our other funding partners that this retail hydrogen network has been brought to life,” said Ewanick.

True Zero hydrogen-charging station in Saratoga (True Zero)

True Zero's hydrogen-charging station in Long Beach, California (True Zero)

HOW IT WORKS

Compared to conventional gasoline-fueled cars, hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles are less noisy. They can be larger than battery-powered electric cars and they also emit no harming carbon dioxide, but therefore they only need up to five minutes to refuel. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells are completely non-toxic and pose no risk to our climate. But there are some drawbacks, too. High production costs or the higher flammability and risk of explosion are issues still to be solved.

The number of fuel cell cars on California roads has risen considerably during 2016. And it seems more to quadruple during 2017. Toyota began in late 2015 retailing its hydrogen-powered Mirai in California. In December 2016 Honda introduced its next-generation and hydrogen-powered Honda Clarity. Other carmakers, such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz, are also leasing fuel cell cars in the state.

In order to provide an affordable hydrogen-powered car, the fuel cell system has been scaled down

Hydrogen powered car with European type approval

They intend to produce the first hydrogen powered production car scheduled for 2018 at a rate of 3,500 units per annum. The UK-based company Riversimple unveiled their lightweight car, called Rasa, with a range of up to 300 miles on 1.5 kg of hydrogen. With its completely different architecture to conventional cars, it has the lowest carbon emissions for any vehicle ‘well-to-wheel’. Water is of course the only emission.

Indeed, Rasa is not the first fuel cell vehicle. The FCX Clarity, manufactured by Honda, was the first hydrogen powered car available for retail clients but with a small number of customers. The discontinuation of the FCX Clarity was announced in July 2014. Others, for instance, are Hyundai ix35 FCEV, Toyota Mirai or fuel cell buses from Daimler, Thor Industries or Irisbus.

Compared to Toyota or Honda, Rasa is not based on common vehicle templates. Riversimple wipes the slate clean and presents a new type of hydrogen powered car with new elegant and clean lines. In order to provide an affordable fuel cell car, the system has been scaled down which is only possible with a considerably reduced car weight. Consequently, it provides only essential features and no superfluous shenanigans.

The seats, for example, have a small weight of only 10.8 kg each. The chassis is made of carbon composite material. The total kerb weight of just 580 kg is nearly the half of a small car. This is not only due to the fact that Rasa is a two-seater car. The interior features only essential elements. With its 18 moving parts in the entire powertrain, Riversimple will adopt an open-source approach to its technology and componentry. The aim is to encourage the proliferation of this technology and economies of scale within the sector. According to Riversimple, Rasa has been engineered by a highly-skilled team from some of the world’s most renowned carmakers, Formula 1 teams and aerospace engineering companies.

The high range of 300 miles are also the result of the more than 50 percent recovered kinetic energy produced under braking. With a claimed fuel economy equivalent of 0,9 litre per 100 kilometre (250mpg), Rasa can be refuelled with 350 bar of pressure. It is quite high but also cheaper and does not require pre-cooling of the hydrogen. Refuelling the empty tank takes around three minutes. Hydrogen can be produced via electrolysis of water and renewable energy sources like wind and solar radiation.

Rasa is built for full European type approval and will be offered through a ‘sale of service’ model. Riversimple will cover all repair, maintenance, insurance and fuel expenses for a fixed monthly fee plus a mileage allowance. The expenditures can be compared with leasing.

Under braking, the motors act as a Kinetic Energy Recovery System – similar to that found in a Formula 1 car – generating electricity and replenishing the car’s bank of 120 quickcharging lithium hybrid super-capacitors (pictured left), using the kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat. (Riversimple)

Hugo Spowers, Founder of Riversimple Movement Ltd, said: “The Rasa engineering prototype marks another key milestone in bringing an affordable and highly-efficient hydrogenpowered car to market. We really have started from a clean sheet of paper. The Rasa gives us the opportunity to introduce customers to a more convenient concept of motoring, a lightness of ownership that neither places a burden on the pockets of motorists or the surrounding environment. The car is simple, light and fun in every respect.”

Powertrain

Fuel cell

8.5 kW

Lithium ion capacitors

1.9 MJ of usable energy

Electric motors

4 x 170 Nm hub motors

Transmission

None (forward, neutral and reverse controls only)

Suspension & Steering

Front suspension type

Double wishbone

Rear suspension type

Semi trailing arm

Steering type

Rack and pinion

Dimensions

Length

3673 mm

Width incl mirrors

1630 mm

Height

1332 mm

Boot volume

170 litres

Fuel tank capacity

1.5 kg

Performance & Fuel Economy

0-60 mph

10 sec

Top speed

60 mph

Torque Nm (lb ft)

680 Nm (direct drive)

Fuel consumption

about 250 mpg

Maximum range

300 miles

Refuelling time

3 minutes per full tank

CO2 emissions at tailpipe

0 g/km

CO2 emissions well to wheel

about 40 g/km

After a public 12-month Beta trial of 20 Rasa prototypes, in 2018 the first full production model comes to market.